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Childhood
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Young Sex-Workers in Ho Chi Minh City Telling Their Life Stories

Birgitta Rubenson

Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, birgitta.rubenson{at}phs.ki.se

Le Thi Hanh

Social Work and Community, Development Research and Consultancy (SDRC), Ho Chi Minh City

Bengt Höjer

Dalarna University College, Sweden

Eva Johansson

Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm

In this study the life stories of 22 sex-workers (age 15-18 years) in Vietnam are organized into three thematic narratives depicting how the girls presented their lives. Poverty, lack of job alternatives and the responsibility to share in the support of their families led the girls into prostitution. Strong family ties gave many girls connectedness; earning a well-needed income provided them with purpose and meaning; and the need for self-sufficiency forced the girls to manage and protect their lives. For some, a history of abuse led to victimization and rendered them powerless. While many of their human rights were violated, it was the disrespect for their dignity that hurt most.

Key Words: child labour • child perspective • child rights • child sex-work • narratives • Vietnam

Childhood, Vol. 12, No. 3, 391-411 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0907568205054927
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